What’s perhaps most singular about the Harrington is how unsingular it is—that is, it doesn’t belong to any one subculture or time period, but rather appears Zelig-like at fashionable points across history. It’s a style that has felt as much at home with British punk rockers as American Ivy Leaguers, mods and presidents. Arnold Palmer was known to sport an imitator of the G9 from Grenfell, originally known as the Golfer. Ryan O’Neill’s character on Peyton Place wore one, too, such that some American clothiers started marketing the jacket by his name. Perhaps the biggest moment for the Harrington jacket, though, came when Steve McQueen appeared on the cover of Life Magazine, casually riding a motorcycle in an enviably cool, off-white version.

We’re aware of the legacy we’re stepping into with our own take on the Harrington jacket, crafted with cotton cavalry twill (that only gets softer over time) and just the right amount of stretch. So we thought we’d pay our respects to a few of the greats…

I still don’t know who actually owned this cardigan; I never found out where it came from. It was way too big on me, which meant it was even bigger on the octogenarian store owner, who sat across from me gossiping while blithely glueing book bindings and plastic-wrapping dust jackets. On arctic winter days, I would wrap myself up in this oversized wool sweater, itchy in a homey way, and read back copies of The New Yorker, interrupted by the occasional customer buying or browsing for a book. When my shift was over, I would drape it back over the chair; arriving the next day, I might find my coworker wearing it, reading Nietzsche or Freud. Suffice to say, the cardigan didn’t belong to anyone. It belonged to the store.

Insofar as the bookstore was tantamount to a home—an idealized version for an aspiring writer such as myself—that communal cardigan served as the ultimate house cardigan. What is a house cardigan, you ask? It’s a cardigan you wear in your house, while you’re clacking away at The Great American Novel, reading romantic poetry, preparing coq au vin, or doing none of those activities. It’s not like you can’t wear it outside of the home. It’s just that the home is where it feels…most at home.

Thus the house cardigan is typically a chunky, woolen affair—loose-fitting, cable-knit, musty. Pockets are paramount. Slippers are recommended. Pants are optional. Right now, my personal choice is our very own WARMKNIT Wool Cardigan, in a size up. (Mustiness not included.)

Should you require some outside inspiration, though, see below for a few standouts of the genre.

What is a passeggiata? Well, it’s a walk—but a walk Italian style—per Merriam-Webster, “a traditional evening stroll in the central plaza by a town's residents.” It’s taking a post-prandial turn around the neighborhood, gossiping with passersby, looking at stuff, digesting your dinner, doing nothing in particular. It’s a cousin to the promenade, less productive than a constitutional, more communally oriented than a ramble. It’s like the term “sprezzatura” got up from its rattan café chair and started ambling about.

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According to the Oxford English Dictionary, passeggiata made its way into English in the 1950s, likely through the writings of playwright Tennessee Williams, an expert on lethargic indulgence if there ever was one. Here is its (likely) debut in Williams’ early novel, The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone: “The chair was always turned at such an angle that both could watch the fashionable parade of the sidewalk at that hour when Romans go for their passeggiata. It was an agreeable habit, the late afternoon passeggiata, that Americans easily fell into, so that from the barbershop one could see, at that hour, practically everyone that counted in Paolo’s world of wealth and elegant delinquency.”

As a cosmopolitan reader, you might be thinking: Wait, doesn’t English already have a loanword that glamorizes walking around? Yes, it does, but the differences between the two are instructive. The French noun “flâneur”—“an idle man-about-town,” per Merriam-Webster again—has been gracing English since 1854. Flâneurs got famous in the 19th century for being pretentious rich loafers with nothing better to do than meander about looking annoyingly handsome and indifferent. Unemployed behavior, as they say on the internet now. For a certain type, there was no higher aspiration than to be one of these proto-hipster latter-day dandies, buoyed by the condescension of the non-participant, endlessly wandering the streets of Paris.

If you think this resembles the aimless strolling above, I would remind you that there are different ways of doing nothing. The flâneur walks instead of working; the taker of a passeggiata has finished their work. They’re not wandering to new places; they’re savoring the place they live. A flâneur is someone outside society taking it in; the passeggiata is a way of existing within a community.

Consequently, there are some impediments to the contemporary American hoping to fall into the passeggiata habit back home. For example, we live in a distressingly atomised society largely without physical town squares, most of what passes for communal interaction now happens on a smartphone, and everyone’s somehow both busy and lazy. But that’s all the more reason to take your first passeggiata this evening. Be the friendly strolling stranger you wish to see in the world. Your surroundings will grow more familiar each day, and you and those around you will grow more familiar to each other. Maybe you’ll start trading neighborly nods with someone. That’s a start.

Myself, I go on two walks every day, one first thing in the morning, the second just before dinner. The first gears up my brain to start the day, the second tells me it’s time to stop striving. The morning walk is too early to be a passeggiata, but my evening walk probably isn’t one either. I’m walking like a New Yorker, or at least like an American, which is to say, way too fast and with noise-cancelling over-ear headphones blasting, like, lectures on 20th-century China. In other words, I’m still turning this time into something productive and solitary. I’d probably be happier if I went on a passeggiata instead.

The real value of these words is less to introduce you to a fresh concept than to make you reconsider how you approach what you already do, to do what you do in a better way. I may not know my neighbors, but a few blocks away someone keeps chickens in their yard. They’re kind of locally famous. At the end of the day, I like to go see them. I say, “Hello, chickens.” It makes me feel like I live somewhere. Maybe tonight I’ll at least take my headphones off when I pass by.

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You know the kind I’m talking about. A rakish, loose-knit thing in an off-white shade or hue that complements the sea. Salt-sprayed and worn, like an old paperback you bring to the beach. A sweater you can imagine emerging on the bow of a sailboat, or strung around the bare shoulders of an aging Frenchman, or on a log next to a bonfire where some dude is playing “Wonderwall” (again). Something like this.

There remains in this world of ease and efficiency something deliciously profligate about the summer sweater. Not just because of the wealthy Cape Cod of it all. But because the article itself can feel wonderfully excessive, running counter as it does to its own primary function (i.e., keeping you warm). Unless you’re on a fishing expedition, a summer sweater remains a contradiction in terms—a vestige of a time in menswear, replete with suits and void of shorts, where guys never seemed to actually break a sweat.

To wear one today, then, is to say, “Not this time, sun.” To say, “I’m totally cool and not at all perspiring right now.” To greet a chill in the air and remark, “This old thing?” before throwing it on and staring ponderously towards the horizon.

Below, a little inspiration (or motivation), should the humidity subside before summer’s end…

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Fortunately, the universe is boundless in its creativity, its wisdom, its grace. And so for those of us who refuse to settle for the oversaturated mediocrity of the Aperol Spritz, we’ve been rewarded with its delightfully louche alternative: The Spaghett.

The Spaghett (or Spagett) is a study in summertime simplicity: an ice-cold Miller High Life combined with a shot of Aperol and lemon juice. Despite the name, it’s not some niche drink besuited Italian men enjoy on the streets of Florence. Apparently, it originated in Baltimore (kind of the Florence of Maryland?); back in 2016, a local barkeep had the clever idea to make a bastardized version of an Aperol Spritz—subbing out actual champagne for the “champagne of beers.”

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There’s a DIY ethos to the humble Spaghett. Ideally, you take a measured swig of the High Life and pour the shot in yourself—an elegant task that nonetheless requires a brute swiftness to perfect. With beer instead of wine, and lemon juice instead of an orange garnish, the drink is never in danger of becoming sickly-sweet; it carries the subtle flavors of the liqueur before hitting you with that shandy-ish burst of citrus. Plus, it’s easy to pack for a day at the park or the beach—just batch the Aperol/lemon juice mixture in a thermos, pick up a sixer, and be on your way.

If you’re in New York, a great place to order a Spaghett without having to explain it to your bartender is Park Slope Ale House—they make theirs with Campari instead of Aperol, so it’s slightly more bitter (my personal preference). Otherwise, here’s how to make one on your own:

The Spaghett

½ ounce Aperol or Campari

½ ounce lemon juice

12-oz bottle of Miller High Life (no substitutions)

1. Mix the Aperol or Campari with the lemon juice in a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well, then strain into a shot glass.

2. Crack open a cold one and drink until the neck of the bottle is clear.

3. Decisively pour the shot into the beer and enjoy.

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But a year removed and it would appear, to this humble blogger, that the inseam wars are over. The dust has settled; the discourse has shifted. Is there a reliable metric an average guy like me can use to judge the appropriate bagginess of a given pant? (Still unclear.) Anyway, gone is the artificial pressure to adhere to a certain length or style; in an age scrambled by the algorithm, the current approach to men’s shorts is a free-for-all of unprecedented proportions. Walk down any street in New York this summer and you’re as likely to see someone rocking shorts like a member of an early-aughts ska band as you are imitating that iconic photo of '80s Harrison Ford. The only certainty, as far as I can tell, is Golf Dad—a neutral take on chino shorts that never goes all the way in or out of style.

And yet, presented with a tyranny of choice, what is a shorts-buying citizen of the world to do? Should they enjoy, in the words of trusted menswear guy, Clayton Chambers, an “Armani long shorts type of summer”? Or should they pick up where things left off last year with internet boyfriend-approved micro shorts?

The answer to this, as with most style-related questions, is to dress within yourself. Balance risk with familiarity—when you’re trying a new inseam length, maybe buy it in a style you’re already comfortable with first. There’s no need to take a huge leap of short-related faith. If you’ve lived in that classic 7” zone (a short that tends to hit at the knee) but are interested in a more fashion-forward inseam, you might reach for a 6” before the 3”; if you’re curious about going the other way, you might opt for Adam Sandler-esque basketball shorts before slipping into a pair of taut, Euro-style capris (which only a handful of Americans have ever managed to pull off). As a rule of thumb, the higher they rise the tighter they should fit, while the lower they fall the looser they should feel.

At the end of the day, there’s no “right” way to wear shorts anymore, meaning there’s no “wrong” way to wear them either. So I’d implore us all to use this summer as an opportunity to explore some options that fall a bit outside of our comfort zone.

Here’s a little inspo to get you started (and, of course, some quality shorts of our own to try)…

Few things are inevitable in the last 18 holes of a major championship. There are too many players, too little room for error, too much at stake for the pressure not to take root in the head and branch out to the hands, which must, in sync with the rest of the body, perform the small miracle of perfect contact, swing after swing. But without fail, one event would always come to pass on those fateful afternoons. At some point, leaning back in his white leather recliner, a half-empty glass of sherry by his side, my grandpa would doze off—dreaming, I’d like to think, of either his deceased cocker spaniel or a Tiger Woods victory (maybe both).

For non-golf fans, nodding in and out of wakefulness as you gaze limpidly upon a six-hour telecast would seem—if you’ll pardon the pun—par for the course. But falling asleep during the Masters is a pleasure distinct from falling asleep during other tournaments, because the Masters itself is distinct from other tournaments.

Unlike golf’s remaining three majors, the Masters takes place at the same course every year: the famed Augusta National. Co-founded by the game’s preeminent amateur, Bobby Jones, the conditions at Augusta are the stuff of legend. Each fall, the crew “installs” the fairways as though they were carpet (very, very expensive carpet). Miles of drainage pipe travel under the lengths of the course to absorb water, helping to maintain the speed of the greens. After every round, the groundskeepers replace divots on the tee boxes with specially-grown sod; divots on the fairways, meanwhile, are filled with a green sand that’s virtually indistinguishable from the grass. So immaculate is the course that people routinely question whether its iconic azaleas are real or fake; so telegenic is the broadcast that some have accused CBS of piping in prerecorded bird sounds. The result is a hyperreal vision of a golf course—perpetually untouched, conspicuously out-of-time.

Contributing to this feeling, of course, are the traditions Augusta goes to great lengths to preserve. The Masters bestows the only trophy of the year that champions hang in their closet rather than place on a shelf; for over six decades, the tournament has hosted a par-3 contest the day before play begins. Despite representing an Instagram version of reality, patrons are still not allowed to bring their cellphones to the course. Concessions are resistant to inflation: You can still get their famous pimento cheese sandwich for a buck-fifty.

In the sense that the Masters is a dream, enshrined behind our screens like a museum piece, it follows that we might enjoy it in a kind of hypnagogic state. Featuring Jim Nantz’s whispery poetics and the dulcet tones of Dave Loggins’ theme song, the telecast is sport’s ultimate lullaby; far from being sacrilegious for golf fans, I’d argue that “sleeping through” the final round puts us in communion with elements of the sublime the tournament is engineered to evoke.

Assuming you wake up in time to watch the finish.

For better or worse, that’s what the general population (including your humble blogger) tends to think about when they think about linen. But there’s a lot more to the classic textile than meets the mind’s eye.

Just this month, we launched an expansion of our cult-favorite Tech Linen collection, including a new long sleeve crew, button up sweater polo, and hoodie. To mark the occasion, I caught up with our Design Director Henry Martinez to put together this brief primer on the fabric—and share some of the thinking behind our own pieces.

An Insultingly Brief History of Linen

Believe it or not, linen was the fabric of choice for many millennia. The Ancient Mesopatamians dressed their ruling classes in it. The Ancient Egyptians wrapped their mummies in it. The Ancient Greeks clad their soldiers in layers and layers of it, as a breezier alternative to metal armor (hey, comfort is king). In the runup to the Revolutionary War, American colonists cultivated it on their own in order to stick it to the British.

Then, in the late-1700s, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, making the textile cheaper to produce at an industrial scale. Gradually, linen became more of the “luxury” fabric we know and love today.

How Linen Is Made, in One Paragraph

Most people assume linen comes from cotton. But it actually comes from the flax plant. Through a long and complicated process we won’t describe here, the flax plant is broken down and fibers are derived from the bark to spin into a fabric you can ultimately wear while cruising along the French Riviera.

Wovens vs. Knits

Like pretty much all fabrics, linen falls into two categories: wovens and knits.

Wovens are made by interlacing two yarns together in a checkerboard-esque pattern. They’re highly structured and durable, but oftentimes less soft and stretchy. (Think: oxfords, blazers, pants.) Knits are made by interlooping one set of yarn. They’re soft and stretchy, but oftentimes less durable. (Think: sweaters, socks, scarves lovingly crafted by your grandmother.)

Stay tuned for the launch of our woven Tech Linen styles—coming soon.

The Natural Benefits of Classic Linen

Like cotton, linen is a natural fiber. Consequently, it offers a host of innate benefits, which make it the ideal fabric for warmer weather:

• It’s hypoallergenic. Meaning it’s ideal for anyone with sensitive skin.

• It’s antimicrobial. Fighting bacterias that generally cause odors.

• It’s breathable. Linen is loosely woven for an airier look and feel.

• It’s lightweight, but durable. Due to the hollow fibers of the flax plant.

• It dries quickly. Lucky for us, the fabric does not hold moisture well.

In general, linen may have a crisper handfeel at the beginning—but it’ll soften over time.

The Modern Benefits of Tech Linen

Not content to rest on the fabric’s natural laurels, we sought to enhance our own linen collection in a few critical ways. As a result, Tech Linen is…

1. Stronger. We blend our linen with cotton to fortify the fabric.

2. Smoother. Because it’s a blend, Tech Linen is much less prone to wrinkling than classic linen. (It’s also machine washable.)

3. Breezier. We harness moisture-wicking COOLMAX® tech to make it even more breathable than usual.

In other words, it’s a great fabric for everyday wear, but it’s exceptionally well-suited to being placed in a suitcase for your next vacation.

Inspirational Cues

Last year, we launched our Tech Linen collection with two knit styles: the half-zip and sweater polo. This winter, we’re expanding the knits to include a long sleeve crew, button up sweater polo, and hoodie.

You might consider these “summer sweaters”—they’re warm enough to wear year-round, sure, but they’re also cool enough to wear on a breezy night in late-July (or while you’re sailing the high seas).

In terms of inspiration, these styles harken back to classic ‘50s and ‘60s weekendwear—the postwar period that saw a growing middle class, and thus an uptick in American leisure time. (The sweater polo, in particular, was a popular choice among dads looking to crack open a cold one on their porch.)

As for the color palette, we opted to keep things simple, sticking to earth tones with vacation-ready hues, like sandy Nomad Heather and sky blue Gulfstream Heather.

Explore the full Tech Linen collection in-store and online now—and keep an eye out for new drops in the months to come.

Sure, at the beginning, we may’ve paid special attention to situations involving, say, hanging out in your underwear. But in the years since, we’ve designed exceptionally sharp, comfortable clothes for everything from awkward dates to club championships, the swampiest summer days to the chilliest winter nights.

So when we set out to make our first pair of commercials, the concept was obvious: Comfortable Anywhere.

More than just a tagline, “Comfortable Anywhere” is a design philosophy, a state of mind—heck, you might even call it a platonic ideal.

In this first spot, “The Whistle,” our stylish hero rises from a stuffy dinner table to deliver an impromptu whistling concerto. Confusion gives way to captivation as he glides across the room: magnetic, self-assured, and, above all, comfortable as hell.

Our second spot, “The Dance,” was loosely inspired by Sammy Davis Jr.’s iconic Suntory ad and the diner scene from the cult-classic, Benny and Joon. Here, however, inspiration strikes during an important work meeting. But the idea is simply too great for our well-dressed hero to put into words…

Hope you had as much fun watching these as we did making ‘em. And let us know if you happen to see them out in the real world.

They say there’s no truth in advertising. But as far as we know, nobody’s said anything about blogging…

So naturally, we’ve taken to The Brief to share our favorite gifts—the MW essentials and apparel we find ourselves recommending time and time again. From sweaters for dad, to boxers for Dave (Dave?), we’ve got you covered.

Unless, that is, you were dead set on surprising your spouse with a luxury SUV wrapped in a cartoonishly large bow. We don’t sell cars.

Tech Merino Extended Crew Socks

“Gifting socks is a cliché, but no one is going to complain about a pair of warm, soft merino wool socks in their stocking. Nothing keeps your feet warmer during the winter without making you overheat than our Tech Merino fabric.” – Charley, CFO/COO

24/7 Woven Boxers

“My favorite gift to get my boyfriend is 24/7 Woven Boxers—mainly so I can steal them. They are light as air and come in the best solids and patterns. If you’re a hot sleeper, you need these!” – Emily, senior marketing manager

The Latitude Fleece Full-Zip

“My favorite giftable from MW is the Latitude Fleece Full-Zip. It’s the very best of jacket, sweater, sweatshirt—and can be dressed up or down. Perfect for this time of year.” – Brian, founder and CEO

The WARMKNIT Waffle Long Sleeve Crew

“My only rule of thumb when it comes to gifting is to buy them something they wouldn’t buy for themselves. And I don’t know a ton of guys who would necessarily think to buy a thermal, at least not before buying almost any other article of clothing. This one’s soft, warm, remarkably light, and surprisingly versatile—you can wear it as a PJ top, under a flannel, or on its own over a pair of jeans.” – Sam, copywriter

AIRKNIT^x Boxer Briefs

“Every time I gift a friend a pair of our AIRKNIT^x Boxer Briefs, they’re in disbelief about how comfortable they are, to the point where they save them to wear for special occasions and look forward to those days. Definitely recommend adding as stocking stuffer this year, they never disappoint.” -David, senior graphic designer

The Tech Linen Half-Zip

“I wanna get this for my dad. It’s super versatile—he could wear it to the office, golfing, dinner, pretty much anywhere. It’s a capsule piece that will that never go out of style.” – Coleman, UI/UX designer

The WARMKNIT PJ Pant

“My boyfriend absolutely LOVES the WARMKNIT PJ Pants I got him last year! He wore them nonstop all winter. Definitely a foolproof gift.” – Elena, brand manager

The ACE Half-Zip

“My dad has the ACE Sweatpants. With this, he can extend the comfort into new fits.” – Dan, VP of Brand

The ACE Hoodie

“I would gift my husband the ACE Hoodie—not only because it looks and feels great, but so I can steal it from him and wear it too!” – Alex, senior marketing associate

The SILVER HD PJ Pant

“These are the perfect cozy gift for the man in your life! Wrap him up in the most comfortable, odor-fighting pajama pants, so he can lounge around all day thinking of YOU.” – Bobby, GM of Mack Weldon at Hudson Yards

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. They’re also a lot of other adjectives.

That’s why we have one goal and one goal only this winter: to help you simplify the season.

Naturally, our elevated essentials and timeless apparel play a key role here. But we thought we’d also share some hard-earned holiday wisdom—simple tips to keep in mind as you travel, host, eat to excess, and generally participate in merry-making.

1. Just Take the Earlier Flight

You always think: “Maybe I’ll just take the later one. Sleep in. Get some work done…” And then the later one is canceled, and you’re stranded in JFK, and you can’t go home because a war has broken out, and so you have to make a new home for yourself in the airport, which is kind of nice actually, and…whoops, here we go again, describing the plot of the 2004 Tom Hanks movie, The Terminal…

2. Bring Something That Goes With Everything

In other words, bring our new WARMKNIT Wool Cardigan. It’s nice enough to throw over a t-shirt or button up for dinner, and cozy enough to curl up with on the couch afterwards.

3. Prepare to Be Overheated

Whether you’re sitting around an overcrowded dinner table or staying with parents who stubbornly refuse to lower the thermostat, it’s likely you’ll be subject to some near-tropical indoor temperatures. One solution: Our ultra-breathable AIRKNIT^x Boxer Briefs, which always keep you cool where it matters most.

4. Stick to the List

Trust your gifting instincts. Best not to deviate at the last minute—unless you’re thinking of getting someone a luxurious scarf, or French terry sweatpants, or odor-fighting slippers…

5. Don’t Debate, Placate

Smile. Nod. Seethe in silence. Works every time…

6. Know When to Take a Timeout

Just because you’re traveling to someone’s home for the holidays doesn’t mean you have to stay locked in said home the entire time you’re there. In fact, 9 out of 10 dentists would say your well-being depends on you not doing that.

7. When in Doubt, Watch a Classic

Home Alone. It’s a Wonderful Life. That one movie where the guy does the thing with the notecards. Instead of endlessly debating which new streaming movie to watch, pick something everyone’s guaranteed to enjoy.

8. Not All Heroes Wear Capes. Some Make Cocktails.

Few things can endear you to a host (or father-in-law) faster than being the person who makes the special holiday cocktail. May we suggest…a gingerbread martini?

9. Salt Early, Salt Often

This is just common sense.

10. Ham? Ham.

This is simply an endorsement for ham.

Ah, fall. The season of football. Falling leaves. Friendly ghosts. Something that rhymes with shmelection…

Also: a time for sweaters. And because we care about your comfort, we’ve made it easier than ever to find the perfect option for every occasion, with the help of a virtual sweater-shopping experience known, aptly, as The Sweater Shop.

But in the event you’re looking for some more, err, specific advice, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide a handful of sage, sweater-related questions and answers.

Do you tend to overheat once you get inside?

So do we. Actually, so does everyone. That’s why our Tech Merino and Tech Cashmere sweaters are both naturally thermoregulating—Tech Cashmere even features a cooling cotton interior.

Are you going to a cabin in the woods somewhere? Perhaps to finish writing the Great American Novel?

Our NEW WARMKNIT Wool Shawl Cardigan is perfect for that kind of thing—it’s casual, light, and pairs well with a tumbler of whiskey.

Are you meeting the in-laws? Asking for a promotion? Performing an ill-fated rendition of “White Christmas” at the company holiday party, even though you promised yourself you wouldn’t after what happened last year?

Go with our NEW Tech Merino Long Sleeve Polo—a sleek, smooth style that you can dress down with jeans or dress up with a blazer.

Are you hosting an event at your own home? That is, will you be changing into sweatpants the minute everyone leaves?

In this case, you’ll want a sweater that’s as comfortable as your favorite sweatshirt. Enter: The NEW ACE Half-Zip. It’s crafted with the same ridiculously soft French terry as our bestselling ACE sweats.

Do you want to wear your sweater with a t-shirt in the hopes that you’ll eventually be able to take said sweater off at the function and just wear said t-shirt?

We get it—totally reasonable series of things to want. Your best bet: The undeniably sharp (if casual) Tech Merino Full-Zip, which is ideal for classing up your favorite tee.

Tell the truth: Are you more of a v-neck guy?

No shame in that. We’ve got two handsome options for you: The Tech Merino V-Neck and Tech Cashmere V-Neck.

Do you tend to avoid the dry cleaner at all costs?

Good news. All of our sweaters—with the exception of the cardigan—are machine washable. (Yes, even the cashmere.)

Regarding the first two, answers remain devastatingly out of reach. But when it comes to shorts in the office, we thought it possible to arrive at some sort of consensus. Indeed, a few brave employees have already worn them—a pleated pair here, a corduroy pair there. And yet shorts still tend to feel like something of an outlier.

This is partly due to shifting norms around dress codes, particularly in an era where more and more people are working from home. Before the pandemic, many wouldn’t even consider wearing shorts to the office; now it’s hard to square the freedom to wear sweats on the couch one day with the directive to wear a suit to the office the next.

Last month, The Washington Post published a helpful guide to wearing shorts in the office. The answer they landed on was more or less, “You really shouldn’t, but…”—giving some leeway depending on the type of short (tasteful, not too short) and your position at work (the higher up you are, the safer it is to free the knees). In general, you can always follow the lead of other employees at your office, especially those senior to you. But if you’re wondering whether it’s okay in the first place, it’s probably not worth the risk.

As for the situation at Mack Weldon HQ—where wearing a nice t-shirt and jeans is typical—we decided to ask some folks in the office to weigh in. Herewith, a selection of their responses:

YES

“If it’s over 95 degrees, I’m doing it.” – David, senior graphic designer

“Personally, I wouldn’t think twice if a guy is wearing shorts in the office. I honestly didn’t even know it was a big debate until David wore shorts that one time and everyone commented on it.” – Elena, brand manager

“If you can feel appropriate to your office environment while wearing them, you should feel free too!” – Dan, VP of brand

“I think shorts to the office depends on the industry you work in. Overall, I think it can be fine. (Our forthcoming pleated shorts could be work appropriate…) – Henry, design director

NO

“For me personally, I’m anti. Something about how you see more of a person’s leg when they’re sitting in shorts feels indecent for the office.” - John, VP of creative

“If the office is outside, shorts are a welcome option.” - Tavish, creative project manager

“I’m a firm believer in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Work is for pants; life is for shorts (and also pants sometimes).” - Sam, copywriter

“I AM TOTALLY AGAINST IT. Read the room (and legs) and tread carefully. A ladder to success can easily be caught by unruly leg hair.” – Matthew, VP of design

That’s certainly one way to look at it.

But seeing as you may be doing some travel of your own before summer ends, I thought I’d share some highlights from Bradford and Drew’s packing lists. Highly versatile and exceptionally comfortable, these are the pieces you’d throw in your bag before anything else—no matter where you’re going. (Within reason.)

1. The Atlas Short. I like to think of these as the happy medium between gym shorts and dress shorts. In effect, they feel like the former, but can be styled like the latter. Drew chose to wear these instead of our chino shorts on the golf course—for a more casual, but still-classy look.

2. The SILVER Pique T-Shirt. Crafted with a breathable, polo-like texture and tipped collar, this is the kind of tee you’d have no problem wearing all day, ambling around a picturesque foreign city, but then also keep wearing right into dinner and drinks with the right pair of pants…

3. The Radius 5-Pocket Pant. The only pair I’d ever consider packing over my favorite jeans. They’re lighter, stretchier, just as sharp—and appropriate for more formal occasions (wedding season, etc).

4. The ACE Full-Zip Sweatshirt. If you’re going to pack one sweatshirt, make it this one—crazy-soft and casual, but with a premium feel. And, according to Bradford, perfect for podcasting.

5-6. The AIRKNIT^x Boxer Brief and Crew Sock. Our lightest, most breathable underwear and socks are designed to keep you cool and dry, all day long. Whether you’re on the golf course, in the woods, or on a tour of the Colosseum. (Bundle and save on packs of ‘em here.)

Word to the wise: We also sent the Group Golf Therapy guys our NEW Atlas Commuter Backpack. Featuring 11 dedicated pockets, it opens like a carry-on but carries like a backpack—and is, in Bradford and Drew’s words, the best they’d ever used.

-Sam Eichner